Mindfulness-based mobile app reduces anxiety and increases self-compassion in healthcare students: A randomised controlled trial

Objective To compare the effect of a mindfulness-based mobile application versus an in-person mindfulness-based training program in terms of reducing anxiety and increasing empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness in a population of healthcare students. Methods The authors conducted a single-blind,...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Orosa Duarte, Álvaro, Mediavilla Torres, Roberto, Muñoz San José, Ainoa, Palao Tarrero, Ángela Isidora, Garde, Joaquín, López Herrero, Vera, Bravo Ortiz, María Fe, Bayón Pérez, Carmen, Rodríguez Vega, Beatriz
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repositorio:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/726440
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10486/726440
https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2021.1887835
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Behavioural sciences
communication skills
ethics/attitudes
student support
Medicina
Descripción
Sumario:Objective To compare the effect of a mindfulness-based mobile application versus an in-person mindfulness-based training program in terms of reducing anxiety and increasing empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness in a population of healthcare students. Methods The authors conducted a single-blind, randomised controlled trial with three parallel groups. Participants were allocated to the mobile app, the in-person mindfulness-based program (IMBP), or a control group. Assessments at baseline and postintervention (8 weeks) included measures of anxiety, empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Results Of 168 students randomised, 84 were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis (app: n = 31; IMBP: n = 23; control: n = 30). The mobile app group showed a large effect size for reductions in trait anxiety compared with controls (g = 0.85, p = 0.003), and a medium, nonsignificant effect compared with the IMBP group (g = 0.52, p = 0.152). Participants from both interventions experienced a significant increase in self-compassion and mindfulness compared with controls. Levels of empathy remained unchanged for the 3 arms. Conclusions A mobile app can be as effective as an IMBP in reducing anxiety and increasing self-compassion and mindfulness among healthcare students